Arrests follow cocaine delivery at Mid-Town Mall

SANFORD — A Sanford man was arrested last week while delivering crack cocaine to an undercover agent in the area of the Mid-Town Mall.

Ryan Benoit, 23, was arrested shortly after 3 p.m. last Thursday, March 27, but immediately fled on foot. Law enforcement officers gave chase and members of the Southern Maine Special Response Team (who were assisting agents) apprehended Benoit a short distance away.

Agents from the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency York County District Task Force and Sanford Police conducted a three-week investigation into Benoit’s crack cocaine distribution in Sanford. During that time, undercover agents reportedly purchased the drug from Benoit at various locations in Sanford. Benoit was accompanied by Joshua Downs, 18, of 47 Theriault Street in Sanford, during one of the transactions.

As Benoit was being arrested at the Mid-Town Mall, agents were simultaneously serving Downs with a search warrant at his home. Police said the search revealed evidence of drug trafficking, including 20 ounces of processed marijuana, digital scales and marijuana plants. Downs was arrested and charged with unlawful trafficking in a Schedule Z drug (marijuana).

When he was taken into custody, Benoit had eight grams of crack cocaine as well as $1,900 in cash that agents seized as suspected drug proceeds. The estimated street value of the crack cocaine was $1,200, according to an MDEA news release.

Benoit was charged with one count of unlawful trafficking in a Schedule W drug (crack cocaine), a Class B crime, and violation of conditions of bail and release.

Both men were transported to the York County Jail in Alfred by Sanford Police.

Benoit was denied bail as he was already free on two sets of bail conditions for other criminal charges. Downs’ bail was set at $100 cash.

The investigation is continuing and additional charges are expected.

Assisting the MDEA in the investigation and arrests were the Sanford Police Department, the Wells Police Department, members of the Southern Maine Special Response Team and members of the New England High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).